Notes

The Newtown and Welshpool Express Tuesday January 27 1874 Page 5

Llanidloes

Testimonial to Miss Margaret Ashton

On Thursday last, this young lady was presented with a purse containing ?10 10s which had been subscribed by a number of principal ladies and gentleman of the town and neighbourhood, as well as few friends on the occasion of her leaving the Infant National Schools at the expiration of her apprenticeship, and also as a testimony and recognition of her services as a singer in the choir of the parish church of Llanidloes.

We subjoin the address of Lient. Col. Hunter, who very kindly consented to make the presentaion, the following ladies and gentleman being present: - Rev. R. H. Jones, rector, occupying the chair, Mrs and Miss Hunter, Mrs R. Harris Jones, Mrs Marshall and Miss Bailey, John Jenkins, Esq., Penygreen, Samuel Ikin Esq., Mr David Lloyd Kinsey, &c.

"At the request, Miss Ashton, of the ladies and gentleman here present, it will be my pleasing privilege before we part to place in your hands a purse, the contents of which have been contributed by your friends, as a token of their esteem, their regard, and the interest they take in your welfare, as a token moreover of their appreciation of the zeal and ability of which you have a considerable time performed the important duties of a teacher in our National School, as a token too of their appreciation of the good, kind and amiable qualities which have gained for you the affection and respect, I understand of all the young persons who have been placed in your care and superintendence. You are now about to enter upon a new course of studies, to reap the benefits, let us hope, of the inestimable benefits of a liberal education. In the prosecution of your new studies, you must be prepared to meet with far from discouraging you, ought only to act as a stimulus to greater exertions, and such greater exertions will not be without their reward, for rely upon it, few things are found to add so keen a zest to the enjoyments of our chequered existence, or so swely to console us for its disappointments, as the consiousness of difficulities encountered and overcome in the patient, zealous, and conscientious discharge of our respective duties, and to ensure this happy result our only requisite allies are industry and perseverance. I cannot say goodbye to you Miss Ashton without expressing the hope that it may please God to bless you with health and strength sufficient to enable you to cope with the duties, however arduous, of any position in which you may hereafter be placed without expressing the hope that in your future career you may be destined to obtain all the success, to enjoy all the happiness and prosperity which your best friends could desire.

Miss Margaret Ashton in very appropriate terms, expressed her gratitude for the great kindness shewn to her.

A very coordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Ikin for the active part which he took in collecting subscriptions to Col. Hunter for making the presentation, and to the Rev. R.H. Jones for occupying the Chair.